Police director faces investigation after NFL protest post

The Michigan State Police says an internal investigation will determine whether the agency’s director will be disciplined for sharing a Facebook post that called some NFL players ‘anti-American degenerates.’

Spokeswoman Shanon Banner said in an email Friday that Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue will be treated the same as any other state police employee accused of misconduct.

Banner says if Etue is found to have violated agency policy, she could receive a written reprimand or a five-day suspension.

Spokeswoman Shanon Banner said Friday that Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue will be treated the same as any other state police employee accused of misconduct

Etue shared a post signed ‘we the people’ calling NFL players who kneel during the national anthem ‘millionaire ingrates who hate America and disrespect our armed forces and veterans’

Etue shared a post signed ‘we the people.’ It calls NFL players who kneel during the national anthem ‘millionaire ingrates who hate America and disrespect our armed forces and veterans.’

Hundreds of athletes have expressed they are taking a knee during the pre-game national anthem as a symbolic protest against racial oppression and incidents of police brutality against blacks.

She has apologized, and Gov. Rick Snyder says he won’t fire her

The controversial message on her personal Facebook page caused outrage, as some called for her to be fired.

Michigan ACLU Director Kary Moss wrote on Facebook: ‘It is the sworn duty of the State Police Director to uphold the Constitution which protects all people in this State and to demonstrate respect for those principles.

Banner says if Etue is found to have violated agency policy, she could receive a written reprimand or a five-day suspension

‘She undermines her own position and the trust of the community with these remarks and utter disregard of the people she represents.’

Late Tuesday Etue apologized for the post on the MSP Facebook page.

‘It was a mistake to share this message on Facebook and I sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended,’ Etue’s post read.

‘I will continue my focus on the unity at the Michigan State Police and in communities across Michigan.’

But the Detroit Coalition Against Police Brutality said Tuesday that she should be fired.

‘Etue’s words simply reflect the continued racist actions of the Michigan State Police, both in how they treat our citizens and in how their hiring demographics fail to even approach equity,’ Kenneth Reed, the coalition spokesman, said in a news release.

Hundreds of athletes have expressed they are taking a knee during the pre-game national anthem as a symbolic protest against racial oppression and incidents of police brutality against blacks

‘There needs to be complete overhaul of the department, and we urge the Michigan Black Caucus to call an emergency meeting to address the issue and develop a list of demands…’

The executive director of the liberal group Progress Michigan, Lonnie Scott, said Etue’s apology is ‘not good enough’.

‘This isn’t about people being offended,’ Scott posted on Facebook.

‘It’s about the leader of the State Police missing the entire point of protesting police brutality. This statement helps nothing.’